Hamilton, Bermuda Bermuda shut down on Wednesday night as Hurricane Imelda’s core moved directly over the island bringing destructive winds damaging waves and flash flooding. The Category 2 storm forced the closure of schools government offices and the international airport, while soldiers were deployed to secure infrastructure and assist at emergency shelters.
According to the US National Hurricane Center Imelda packed maximum sustained winds of 100mph (161km/h) as it passed about 20 miles southwest of Bermuda before tracking east northeast. Authorities warned of 2 to 4 inches of rainfall and storm surges that could unleash dangerous coastal flooding.
More than 650 people lost power as the storm made landfall. At least 53 residents sought safety in emergency shelters. Bermuda’s National Security Minister Michael Weeks said This is a dangerous storm system that could bring destructive winds heavy rainfall and significant coastal impacts.
Imelda formed as a tropical storm over the Bahamas on Sunday before rapidly intensifying into a hurricane. It brushed Florida’s east coast earlier in the week and triggered flooding in the northern Caribbean. In Cuba more than 18,000 people were evacuated in Guantanamo province while floods and landslides cut off access to 17 communities. Two people died in Cuba and one remains missing in Haiti. Bermuda Shut Down operations will remain in place until conditions improve as recovery efforts are expected to begin later Thursday.
